Vietnam and Sa Pa Adventure (Code: VN-AR 00-10)

The fourteen days Vietnam and Sa Pa Adventure adds beautiful Sa Pa and the colorful hill tribes to the highlights of Vietnam. Used by the French as a hill station, Sa Pa is now thriving on a burgeoning tourist trade. Visit the hill tribes, enjoy the glorious natural landscape of the stunning and spectacular mountain scenery and experience the culture and life of minority tribes. This is the Shangri-La of Vietnam.

Inclusions:

- 9 nights hotel accommodation as below listed or similar.

- 1 night on board in Ha Long Bay.

- 1 night home stay in Vinh Long

- 13 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 3 dinners.

- Return train ticket Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hanoi.

- Modern, comfortable transportation throughout the tour.

- Boat cruises in Perfume Pagoda, Ha Long, Hue and Vinh Long.

- Entrance fees as stated in the tour program.

- Local English or French speaking guide in the North, Centre and the South.

Exclusions:

- International flights

- Domestic tickets Hanoi - Da Nang/ Hue - Saigon

- Any meals, drinks other than specified.

- Tips/ gratuities and personal expenses.

Day 1 Hanoi

Dinner

Arrive Hanoi and transfer to the centrally located hotel. Free at your leisure

Day 2 Hanoi - Perfume Pagoda

Breakfast - Lunch (picnic)

Our first day in Vietnam is spent visiting the Perfume Pagoda. Located 60 km southwest of Hanoi, it is best approached by rowboat on the wide, swiftly flowing Suoi Yen. We take a one hour boat trip along the Yen stream through beautiful and peaceful rice fields en route to the Chua Huong pagoda. From here, we climb ancient paths to reach and explore the Perfume Pagoda and stop at the most important pagoda, the 17th century Thien Chu. We then continue four kilometres to reach Huong Tich Mountain and its pagoda at the summit of the mountain. Return to Hanoi in the afternoon.

Day 3 Hanoi - Lao Cai

Breakfast - Lunch

This day tour provides an introduction to the history of Vietnam. We spend the morning visiting the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, and the ancient Temple of Literature, where you will learn about the the historical and cultural events that have shaped Vietnam. In the afternoon, we visit the Ethnologic museum, followed by an exhilarating, hour long cyclo tour through the bustling Old Quarter. A walk through its exciting streets is a fascinating introduction to the different lifestyles of Vietnam, and an opportunity to shop for bargains. The rest of the day is free for shopping in the old quarter until your transfer to Hanoi station for an overnight train to Lao Cai.

Day 4 Sa Pa – Ta Van - Sa Pa

Breakfast - Lunch

Early this morning we arrive at Lao Cai station and transfer by bus to Sa Pa. After breakfast, at a local restaurant, we depart by car to Lao Chai village where you can see H’mong minority dressed in their traditional costumes that are unique to the Northern region. Witness a very simple, but traditional way of life that has existed for centuries. We tour villages and traditional houses surrounded by the unspoilt beauty of nature as well as enjoying the hill tribe hospitality before we return to the town. Continuing on, we visit Ta Van village, the village of the Zay minority. Back to Sapa and free time.

Day 5 Sa Pa – Bac Ha Sunday market - Lao Cai - Hanoi

Breakfast - Lunch

This morning, we will depart for Bac Ha market. This Sunday market is attended by many ethnic groups including the colourful Flower H’Mong, Tay and San Chi minorities. The hive of activity and colours at the market is spectacular and a photographers delight. We leave Lao Cai station for the overnight train to Hanoi.

Day 6 Hanoi - Ha Long

Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

We arrive in Hanoi in the early morning and transfer to the hotel for breakfast before departing for Ha Long Bay. Passing through the rich farmland of the Red River Delta, we enjoy the lush scenery and photo opportunities. Arriving at Ha Long pier, board a traditional, but luxurious, wooden junk and cruise through the spectacular islands rising from the tranquil emerald sea. Enjoy sumptuous on-board seafood and explore Sung Sot Cave, one of the most beautiful caves in the bay. Witness a splendid sunset. Dinner and overnight on your boat.

Day 7 Ha Long – Hanoi – Hoi An

Breakfast - Lunch

Early morning coffee and tea will be served on the sundeck followed by a Tai Chi class. We continue exploring the magnificent Ha Long Bay. Change to a small motor or rowing boat to discover a floating village. When you return to the junk, a sumptuous meal, combining Vietnamese and Western cuisine, will be served. We leave the junk and transfer directly to the airport for the flight to Da Nang. On the way, we visit Dong Ky village, which is famous for its wooden carvings. We arrive in Da Nang and transfer to the ancient and peaceful city of Hoi An.

Day 8 Hoi An

Breakfast - Lunch

A full day tour in Hoi An includes the ancient Japanese Bridge, Phuoc Kien Pagoda, the ancient house Tran Phu and the Hoi An museum. In the afternoon, walk in the old town, soak up the atmosphere and maybe shop for tailor-made clothing, lanterns, shoes and food, or simply relax in one of the many cafes.

Day 9 Hoi An - Da Nang – Hue

Breakfast - Lunch

This morning we visit Vietnam’s finest Cham museum and Marble Mountain. After crossing the spectacular Hai Van Pass, we reach Hue, where we can see the ancient Citadel and cruise on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda. The remainder of our time is free to explore the crowded market of Dong Ba, where we can bargain for anything from souvenirs and bronze goods, to Hue sesame sweetmeat and conical poem hats.

Day 10 Hue - Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast – Dinner

This morning, we continue to discover Hue and visiti the impressive tombs of King Minh Mang and Tu Duc. We then transfer to the airport for our flight to bustling Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon, as the locals still call it.

Day 11 Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast - Lunch

Today we will have the opportunity to visit the controversial War Remnants Museum, the Reunification Palace, historic Notre Dame Cathedral and the post office. In the afternoon, we will visit Thien Hau Pagoda and the busy market of Cho Lon. Explore historic Dong Khoi Street, now the city’s most upscale shopping boulevard with classy boutiques selling clothes and accessories by Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and house wares. Don’t miss Ho Chi Minh City’s atmosphere by night. This city lives up to its exciting and often mischievous reputation.

Day 12 Ho Chi Minh City - Vinh Long (home stay)

Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

This morning we head to the Mekong Delta and the Cai Be Floating market and then cruise along the endless waterways of the mighty Mekong. We will stop at an old southern house and visit some local cottage industries which produce candy. Enjoy a sumptuous Delta lunch, including the popular dish of elephant ear fish before continuing our exploration of the tributaries and canals of the Delta. Later, we arrive at Hoa Khanh Village for a relaxing bicycle along the riverside, past the quiet activities of the local rural people and visit a local old style house. The last stop is Mr. Ba Kiet’s old style house where we will be his guest for the night. The rest of the day is free for taking in the local atmosphere or maybe try your hand at fishing. Later we will enjoy dinner and a peaceful night in the countryside.

Day 13 Vinh Long - Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast - Lunch

After breakfast with the host family, we take a boat trip to visit the Cai Be floating market, a typical activity of the south western waterways. We continue along the maze of waterways and canals, calling at An Binh Island, and visiting Tam Ho’s nursery garden where we will enjoy some tropical fruit and lunch at a local restaurant before transferring back to Ho Chi Minh City. We take time to see the Ben Thanh market, Vietnam’s oldest and busiest market. With over 3,000 stalls, we are sure to find something interesting to take home.

Day 14 Depart Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast

Free time until your transfer to the airport and flight, after a truly unique Vietnam experience